With the recent (and seemingly unstoppable) decline of JC Penney and Sears, much internet ink has been spilled lamenting the decline of these companies, while little analysis has been done exploring which retailers, brands, and stores can best profit from this massive outflow of JCPenny’s and Sears’ traditionally-loyal customers. The most obvious contender in this market share version of jump-ball? Kohl’s Corp. After all, Kohl 's, the 4th largest department store in the country, is where we, the consumer, are to “expect great things.” And as a company operating “1,146 stores in 49 states” with a stated “focus on providing excellent value to customers through offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel”, Kohl 's operates …show more content…
With the reputation of an online experience that includes an “erratic nature of delivery time makes us nervous when buying online with a hard deadline,” Kohl 's nearly begs customers to come in and try on the merchandise, then buy somewhere else. Obviously, as in the case with JCPenny and Sears, Kohl 's must follow Target 's lead and immediately overhaul its online shopping experience to lock consumers into both the in-store and online loop of consumption and purchase. While revamping an online platform sounds easy, it is, obviously a difficult task . But one that must happen if Kohl 's is to usurp the JCPenny and sears customers while competing with …show more content…
In particular, a recent Y-O-Y inventory increase belies a misread of increased demand, which means short turn times and trendier inventory that grows stale on the store shelves. This, in turn, means customers are less incented to return to the retailer to check out “what 's new”. This decreases in repeat visits in turn leads to longer inventory turn times, which in turns leads to loss of profit. In short, a revamped Kohl 's that moves inventory more quickly immediately becomes more attractive to the
Macy’s intended to deliver enhanced shopping experiences to its consumers through dynamic department stores and online sites. In this regard, the company developed a North Star strategy that allows it to improve its sales growth and to develop its existing core activities. The company’s consumer research monitors, analyze and anticipate their needs and wants based on the changing market trends. This allows it to strengthen its customer base and also helps it in identifying new markets and customers. Macy’s also identifies different styles and designs based on various occasions and events that allow it to capture the changing preferences of its customers. The company also celebrates various iconic events to interact with its customers which
With minimal aid from interviews with managers and no exposure to the marketing entity of the company, I was able to accomplish much of my findings related to the macro environment of Kohl’s through diligent online research. One of the major changes occurring in the retail industry is online shopping. Substitutes such as Amazon, eBay, and other online retailers are replacing the technically savvy shoppers from ever having to enter a store. Kohl’s competes with these outlets by remaining on the cutting edge of integrated technology to enhance the customer experience shopping their brand. They are currently testing multi-function tablets in jewelry and beauty departments that can be used to demonstrate
Target must compete vigorously and fairly in the marketplace using our independent judgment to make the best decisions for the Company.
Present day Federated consists of both Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s stores and operates in 34 states as well as Guam and Puerto Rico. While Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s provide both private and national brands and are similar in merchandising categories (men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, home décor, shoes, beauty, and accessories), they differ greatly in culture. Bloomingdale’s, being more upscale, targets consumers that are more concerned with trend and quality than they are price. Macy’s targets the more value oriented consumer and represents a broader Federated clientele. Macy’s represents 423 of the 459 Federated locations while Bloomingdale’s represents only 36 locations. Because I can better relate to the value conscious consumer of the Macy’s division and because they represent such a large portion of Federated, I will further explore their current characteristics and behaviors that suggest that they possess qualities of both monopolistic competition and oligopolies.
Nordstrom can continue providing their exceptional online experience and client focused approach using their online system by offering an unmatched online experience that copies their in-store customer service. This would allow Nordstrom to raise its revenue considerably as well as further improving their brand image. I will also discuss specific ways of successful execution, and the steps required to provide Nordstrom a stunning picture of how to execute strategy.
Footlocker’s marketing plan entails selecting the target market, integrating the best marketing tactic to reach as many customers as possible, and customer retention initiatives. Essentially, this customer-driven marketing blueprint is classified as the marketing concept, which does not rely heavily on promotions to procure sales. Instead, the company learns to pinpoint what the customer wants before he or she does, to accommodate existing and future needs. Moreover, within the past five years, a new store entitled House of Hoops has made its debut in the same mall as Footlocker, which has caused the veteran shoe store to experience a decline in sales. This suggests that Footlocker may need to modify its sales strategy to help the company attract more customers to the store. “House of Hoops has a variety of shoes, and a large store front,” stated the interviewee, “customers are drawn to the store because it is new and possesses a
On January 22, 2002, Kmart Corporation was crowned largest retailer seeking bankruptcy protection. As sales declined after a while due to increased competition, management also was neglecting the corporation’s supply chain operation. This neglect launched a surplus of goods doomed for blue light specials (discount/bargain area) that could ought to be trapped in semi-trucks beds behind the shop since the current products on the shelves weren’t moving.
Kohl’s is one of the largest department store chains in the United States, operating 1,100 stores in 49 states. Kohl’s believes that their analytics, preparedness and communication are all essential components of Kohl’s supply chain and state this all due to relying on attention to detail and effective partnerships. Their logistics consist of, outbound, inbound, and international transportation and deconsolidation. As a result, Kohl’s has nine retail distribution centers, an E-Commerce presence (kohls.com), an “Off Aisle” outlet store, and in addition pop up stores.
My company of choice for this report is Macy 's. 'The Magic of Macy 's ', as the company advertises it, has inspired me to shop there, take advantage of their incomparable discounts and great online shopping experience. Macy 's, Inc. is one of the largest department store chains in the United States of America. Macy 's manages stores under the Macy 's and Bloomingdale 's brands. I enjoy shopping at both of the company 's store brands, Macy 's and Bloomingdales. Bloomingdales provides a more personalized experience
In general merchandise retailing, Wal-Mart’s primary competitors are Target and Kmart. Retail superstores such as Circuit City and Bed, Bath, and Beyond, also provide retail competition. A survey found that the majority of respondents favored Wal-Mart over stores like Target and Kmart. Respondents claimed Wal-Mart offered lower prices, better variety and selection, and good quality. The needs of consumers is an important economic feature in all competitive environments. What attributes (price, variety, quality, etc.) prompt buyers to choose one retailer over another is very important in the competitive landscape.
Some core competencies that must be exploited are: Brand Kmart is an existing well-known and trusted national brand in USA Kmart has private label and designer clothing that is well endorsed Infrastructure Kmart has a large number of well-located, low-cost, leased stores in urban far away from competitors through out the country ( Appendix B ). Staffing Confidence by the market in Kmart is created by the achievements of its staff and management. With the turn-around strategy in place, new blood has been put into the top management structures. In any renewal there will be retrenchment as unprofitable stores are closed. This can be used as an opportunity to retain and move high performing staff to where they are needed and to get rid of non-performing staff. Anderson the chairperson of Kmart is well supported by Wall Street and the board of Directors. These new staff members enter the company with needed skills to address problems in certain areas that previously were poorly managed such as inventory control and merchandising. Store locations, layout and Performance Stores conveniently located away from competitors like Wal-mart and Target therefore less to compete for customers face-to-face. There are 250 non-performing stores who have already been identified as being more cost effective to close than continue with running costs. Expertise exists in-house for the planning of store layout and appearance to meet different customer segments. This concentration of effort will enable focus on key areas Technology Kmart has already invested in good retailing systems. The system can be use to control inventory, supplier payments, track customer buying and monitor income versus profit margins across all stores. Research and Development The planning department is well established and in cross-functional to provide various perspective. The planning department to ensure that strategies at all levels are executed can further use the access to past data and knowledge of changes in buying patterns. Financial Backing JP Morgan Chase has agreed to support Kmart to avert the current threat of closure due to bankruptcy.
In 2002, CEO of Levi Strauss, Phil Marineau was faced with a tough decision: whether he should sell product at Wal-Mart. In the last five years, Levi-Strauss had lost sales and had to close US plants to move production to cheaper offshore areas. Levi's really needed to revive the brand image to gain back some lost sales and was using marketing to create new advertisements and product placement to broaden their target market. Levi's had tough competition on every level of the price-point spectrum, whether it be high end retailers like Diesel or Calvin Klein, middle vertically integrated retailers like Gap or American Eagles, and on the bottom, private-label brands like Wal-Mart and Target.
Nordstrom retail stores have large hallways, and everything is presented in a very classy manner. The color scheme includes pale yellows, whites, and gold, to provide a more elegant appearance in the store in order to make the shopped feel special. The design is also seen through product organization. Compared to stores like Macy’s, which organize their products based on brand, Nordstrom organizes their products based on lifestyle. Because of this, it is easier for shoppers to find clothes similar to their style as opposed to by brand. In effect, shoppers will purchase more products. This also is a type of experiential retailing, where Nordstrom customers are able to experience the elements of their lifestyle within one section. More so, the product presentation will draw people’s eyes to products, even if they are not looking for it. This gives Nordstrom a competitive advantage in relation to other similar retail stores because it makes their store look more glamorous and high-end. While other stores may focus on value, Nordstrom utilizes the retail positioning strategy to make a customer feel more high-end and
JCPenney is a chain of American mid-range department stores that is based out of Texas that started over 100 years ago. JCPenny has been successful for most of its time up until the last three to four years. The company is trying relentlessly to overcome the lingering effects of the makeover that former CEO, Ron Johnson, had implemented in order for the company to take a new direction in hopes of increasing sales. The new CEO, Myron Ullman, has taken a close look into the markets demographic segmentation along with the income segmentation in order to attempt to return the retailer back to its old self, which is to appeal to middle-market customers. A couple issues of major concern for the company are the dissolving of Johnson’s Boutiques, the price of their products, and overall revenue.